Service control for work machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively enabling or disabling a plurality of machine systems of a work machine. A service control box is provided on the work machine at a position accessible to a service technician. The service control box includes a battery disconnect switch and at least one service mode control switch. The service control switch is adapted to enable at least one machine system for the purpose of performing a service procedure on that machine system. A keypad may be used as a service control switch and be adapted to enable or disable a plurality of various machine systems. The service control switch may be adapted to be used from locations on the work machine that are remote from the service control box.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A service control for a work machine comprising: 
       a battery switch being adapted to electrically isolate a plurality of machine systems; and  
       a service control switch being adapted to selectively engage or disengage at least one of said plurality of machine systems in response to said battery switch being engaged.  
     
     
       2. The service control of  claim 1 , wherein said service control switch is a keypad. 
     
     
       3. The service control of  claim 1 , including a service mode indicator disposed in at least one of an operator cab and said service control box. 
     
     
       4. The service control of  claim 3 , wherein said service mode indicator is a digital display. 
     
     
       5. The service control of  claim 1 , including an audible alarm disposed in at least one of said operator cab and said service control box. 
     
     
       6. The service control of  claim 5 , wherein said audible alarm is at least one of a machine horn and a radio speaker. 
     
     
       7. The service control of  claim 1 , including a data port disposed in at least one of said service control, operator cab and an engine enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The service control of  claim 7 , wherein said data port is adapted to transmit or receive electronic data related to a plurality of machine system operating parameters. 
     
     
       9. The service control of  claim 1 , including a remote service control switch adapted to interface a control system of a work machine at a location different than said service control. 
     
     
       10. A method for servicing a work machine, said work machine including a control system having a plurality of input devices, an electronic controller and a plurality of machine systems being controlled by said electronic controller, said method comprising the steps of: 
       accessing a service control box;  
       moving a battery switch to a service position, wherein moving said battery switch to said service position electrically isolates a plurality of machine control systems; and  
       moving a service control switch to a service control position, wherein moving said service control switch to said service control position causes at least one of said machine control system to be activated.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , including the step of locking said service control box after the step of moving said service control switch. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , including the step of observing a service mode indicator to verify that said work machine is in a service control mode. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , including a step of sounding an audible alarm to indicate that said work machine is in a service control mode. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , including the step of sounding a horn. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13  including a step of sounding a radio speaker. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10  including a step of depressing a keypad to put said work machine in said service mode. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10  including a step of receiving electronic data from said electronic controller. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10  including a step of transmitting electronic instructions to said electronic controller. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 10  including a step of using a remote service control switch to one of transmit and receive said electronic data.